Review: Star Wars: Rebel Heist #4

Star Wars: Rebel Heist wraps up this week with issue #4, and its conclusion brings us one month closer to Star Wars’ departure from Dark Horse Comics. The series has been a roller coaster of action, intrigue, failure, and success as the core heroes of the Rebellion, alongside some green recruits, have endured every imaginable challenge as they pull off an elaborate robbery spanning multiple worlds.

As the Rebel Heist series unfolded, we followed Han Solo, Princess Leia, and Chewbacca as they played their respective roles in the caper, so it was only natural that the fourth and final installment would bring Luke Skywalker, slayer of Death Stars, into the mix. One would think that the last issue would merely wrap up the story, but instead, it steps outside of the continuity to recount everything that has already transpired, tying the three seemingly unrelated exploits together, and ultimately uniting the participants. We learn that Luke was, in fact, there the whole time, orchestrating the ordeal like a head coach on the sidelines, and had every intention of swooping in at the last minute to save the team’s collective hide.

Writer Matt Kindt clearly took a cue from Return of the Jedi as he put Han, Leia, and Chewie into a situation not unlike the one in which they found themselves after conspiring to infiltrate Jabba’s palace. The situation looked bleak, but we quickly realized that everyone was meticulously placed and patiently waiting for Luke to arrive and tip the balance. After reading Rebel Heist, one could draw the conclusion that this plan was the inspiration for the one pulled off in the film. Kindt also maintains the theme of telling the story through the eyes of a newcomer, but takes a very different approach for issue #4. Whereas the first three accounts were given by those working alongside the Rebels, this tale is told by someone lurking in the shadows, charged with a far more sinister task.

The artist team of Marco Castiello and Dan Parsons once again produces some very memorable visuals, which include Chewbacca standing victorious over a rancor corpse, Han’s amusing encounter with a Stormtrooper, and Luke stealthily dispatching a rooftop sniper. What impresses me the most about the art is the consistent ability to capture such striking emotion on the faces of the characters. From panic to surprise to pure smugness, Castiello and Parsons make good use of a single panel, despite how limiting it may be.

Even though it is simply a 4-issue mini-series, Star Wars: Rebel Heist definitely captures the familiar heart of Star Wars while at the same time exploring some very different aspects of the beloved characters. We’ve known them for working as a team for years, but to see how each of them operates as an individual, especially through the eyes of a stranger, paints a whole new picture of Luke, Han, Leia, and Chewie.

Star Wars: Rebel Heist #4 is available today from Dark Horse Comics!

Written by: Rob "T3K" Piontek

Rob is excited to be contributing to The Fridge. With one finger on the pulse of Marvel/DC and another on that of Hollywood's superhero franchises, no multi-issue arc or casting rumor is too small to report. When Rob opens The Fridge, the light inside shines green!